Florida Interim Coach Billy Gonzales Not Retained Under Jon Sumrall

Florida football is entering a new era under Jon Sumrall, and interim coach Billy Gonzales will not be part of the transition. Gonzales, who led the Gators to a decisive victory over archrival Florida State, will not be retained as Sumrall builds his inaugural coaching staff, according to Pete Nakos of On3 Sports.

Sumrall was officially introduced as Florida’s head coach last week, immediately signaling a fresh start by hiring Georgia Tech’s Buster Faulkner and Kentucky’s Brad White as offensive and defensive coordinators, respectively. Gonzales, 54, will not continue in Gainesville despite his long-standing ties to the program.

Gonzales first arrived at Florida in 2005 under Urban Meyer, following him from Bowling Green and Utah. He served as wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator through 2009, establishing himself as a key contributor during Meyer’s tenure.

Since then, Gonzales has built an extensive coaching resume, including stints at LSU, Illinois as co-offensive coordinator, and Mississippi State under Dan Mullen, which brought him back to Florida in 2018. Aside from one year at Florida Atlantic, he had been a consistent presence at UF for years, earning a reputation as a veteran recruiter and position coach.

1. Coaching Career and Florida Tenure

Gonzales’ career reflects decades of experience at both the SEC and national levels. After leaving his initial UF stint in 2009, he joined LSU in a similar capacity before moving to Illinois as co-offensive coordinator in 2012. His tenure there helped develop his strategic approach and prepared him for leadership roles. He later linked up with Dan Mullen at Mississippi State, following him to Florida in 2018. Gonzales’ experience in recruiting and developing wide receivers made him a cornerstone of Florida’s staff, contributing to the program’s success on and off the field. During the 2023 season, Gonzales was named interim head coach and led the Gators to a dominant win over in-state rival Florida State, highlighting his ability to manage a team amid transition. His leadership, experience, and knowledge of Florida football made him a logical candidate to remain on staff under a new regime. However, Sumrall’s plan is to bring in his own staff rather than retain previous assistants, emphasizing the new direction he intends for the program. Gonzales’ departure underscores the often inevitable turnover that accompanies coaching transitions at high-profile programs.

2. Sumrall Builds His Own Staff

Sumrall has been deliberate in assembling his coaching team, making it clear he intends to hire personnel he trusts rather than retaining former colleagues. He brought in Buster Faulkner as offensive coordinator and Brad White as defensive coordinator, signaling a focus on implementing his system and culture from the ground up. While Sumrall has not officially announced his wide receivers coach, speculation points to Carter Sheridan from Tulane, his current WR coach. Sheridan, a Florida A&M alumnus, has deep ties to New Orleans football through Tulane, LSU, and the New Orleans Saints, and could bring fresh energy to Florida’s receiving corps. This approach demonstrates Sumrall’s philosophy of building staff cohesion, prioritizing long-term compatibility over continuity with previous regimes. Gonzales’ request to stay on the staff was reportedly declined as part of this strategy. Sumrall faces the unique challenge of balancing coaching hires while his current Tulane team prepares for the College Football Playoff, including a first-round matchup at Ole Miss, making this an unusually complex onboarding process.

3. Implications for Florida Football

The decision not to retain Gonzales highlights the shift in culture and strategy under Sumrall. While Gonzales has extensive experience and a strong legacy at Florida, the move reflects a commitment to fully implementing a new vision for the program. Sumrall’s hires emphasize continuity among staff who align with his philosophy, rather than relying on the familiarity of past assistants. This signals to recruits, players, and fans that a new era is underway, with fresh leadership at every level of the program. Despite the transition, Florida football remains focused on competitiveness in the SEC and maintaining strong recruiting pipelines, which Sumrall hopes to strengthen through his new hires and systems. Gonzales’ departure is just one step in a broader effort to rebuild and refocus the program. The decision also underscores the challenges veteran coaches face during coaching turnovers, as even long-tenured staff are vulnerable when new leadership seeks to establish its own identity.